China tells PH: Sanctions vs. Tolentino within our legal prerogative

The Chinese Embassy in Manila on Tuesday insisted its right to sanction former senator Francis Tolentino despite protests from the Philippine government, saying its action is within its legal prerogative.

Chinese Ambassador Huang Xillian was summoned by the Department of Foreign Affairs' Asia-Pacific division Friday to convey its strong protest for his government's decision to ban Tolentino from traveling to mainland China, including its special administrative regions of Hong Kong and Macau, over accusations of "egregious conduct on China-related issues."

"The ambassador notified the DFA of the Philippines of China's decision to impose sanctions on former senator Francis Tolentino, and emphasized that for quite some time, driven by selfish interests, a handful of anti-China politicians in the Philippines have made malicious remarks and moves on issues related to China that are detrimental to China's interests and China-Philippines relations," an embassy statement said.

It stressed that the Chinese government is "firmly resolved to defend national sovereignty, security, and development interests."

Tolentino, who authored bills protecting the country's maritime zones in the West Philippine Sea, the stretch of waters in the South China Sea closer to the Philippines' western coast, sought reelection in last May's midterm polls, but lost.

"Such sanctions fall purely within China's legal prerogative, and there are consequences for hurting China’s interests," the embassy said.

It warned that Tolentino's actions against China and "instigation of confrontation" will only "backfire, and ultimately harm the interest of the Philippines and Filipino people."

For its part, the DFA reminded the envoy that the Philippines is a "democracy" that values "freedom of expression."

"In the Philippines' adherence to the constitutional separation of powers among the three branches of government, it is the mandate of Senators and other elected officials to inquire on matters of national and public interests," the DFA said.

The DFA said it is committed to addressing differences through diplomacy and dialogue while engaging China in a "constructive" manner "to promote mutual understanding."

Relations between the two Asian neighbors plunged to its lowest in recent years after Chinese Coast Guard, Navy and suspected maritime militia ships have used high-pressure water cannons and dangerous maritime maneuvers to Philippine ships or vessels China has accused of entering its territorial waters illegally.

An arbitral tribunal in The Hague, Netherlands in 2016 nullified China's massive claim over the resource-rich South China Sea, including areas within the waters that fall under Manila's territory. — VDV, GMA Integrated News